Media Planner

Laughlin Constable; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Laughlin Constable in Chicago is seeking a Media Planner with 2–3 years of experience to support development, execution, and optimization of integrated media plans across digital and traditional channels.

You’ll work closely with senior planners, buyers, analytics, and account teams to translate business goals into smart, data-informed media recommendations—and ensure those plans are executed accurately and effectively—on budget.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of media planning and/or buying experience (agency or in-house).
• Hands-on experience managing media budgets and vendor relationships.
• Familiarity with digital media channels (paid social, search, display, video) as well as traditional experience (TV, OOH, Print).
• Strong skills with Excel (including pivots) and PowerPoint (or Google Sheets/Slides).
• Experience working with media platforms and tools such as Resonate/MRI/GWI, Meta, Google Ads, The Trade Desk, or similar.
• Strong attention to detail and comfort working with numbers and financial documentation.
• Clear communicator with a collaborative mindset.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing media plans across channels including broadcast, paid social, paid search, display, video (OLV/CTV), and emerging platforms.
• Translate client objectives, target audiences, and budgets into tactical media recommendations.
• Conduct audience, category, and competitive research to inform planning decisions.
• Support channel mix development, reach/frequency modeling, and budget allocation.
• Collaborate with media buying teams to ensure plans are executed as intended.
• Help manage campaign timelines, deliverables, and trafficking needs.
• Review vendor proposals and assist with negotiations and recommendations.
• Ensure campaigns are launched on time and in compliance with brand and platform guidelines.

Skills

Media planning

Budget management

Data analysis

Excel pivots

PowerPoint

Collaboration

Tools

Resonate/MRI/GWI

Meta

Google Ads

The Trade Desk

Job description

We’re looking for a Media Planner with 2-3 years of experience to support the development, execution, and optimization of integrated media plans across digital and traditional channels. This role is ideal for someone who understands the fundamentals of media planning and buying, is analytically curious, and wants to grow into a more strategic role within a fast-paced agency environment.

You’ll work closely with senior planners, buyers, analytics, and account teams to translate business goals into smart, data-informed media recommendations- and ensure those plans are executed accurately and effectively- and on budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in developing media plans across channels including broadcast, paid social, paid search, display, video (OLV/CTV), and emerging platforms
• Translate client objectives, target audiences, and budgets into tactical media recommendations
• Conduct audience, category, and competitive research to inform planning decisions
• Support channel mix development, reach/frequency modeling, and budget allocation

Activation & Execution

• Collaborate with media buying teams to ensure plans are executed as intended
• Help manage campaign timelines, deliverables, and trafficking needs
• Review vendor proposals and assist with negotiations and recommendations
• Ensure campaigns are launched on time and in compliance with brand and platform guidelines

Budget Management & Financial Stewardship

• Own day-to-day budget tracking across media plans and active campaigns
• Ensure accurate setup of media budgets by channel, vendor, and time period
• Reconcile planned vs. actual spend and flag pacing or billing risks proactively
• Support financial stewardship by maintaining accurate flowcharts, trackers, and budget summaries
• Partner with supervisors and buyers to manage in-flight budget shifts and reallocations
• Collaborate with media buying teams to ensure media plans are booked accurately and on time
• Assist with reviewing vendor proposals, RFPs, and insertion orders (IOs) for accuracy and alignment to plan
• Confirm campaign details including flight dates, rates, placements, and KPIs prior to launch
• Maintain clear documentation of media vendor commitments and changes

Billing & Reconciliation

• Identify and resolve billing discrepancies in partnership with buyers, vendors, and finance teams
• Ensure billing aligns with client budgets, internal financial systems, and agency processes
• Help prepare budget and billing summaries for internal and client-facing reviews

Performance & Optimization

• Monitor campaign performance and pacing across channels
• Work with buying teams to ensure optimizations are aligned with campaign goals
• Prepare / assist in preparation of media plan decks and flowcharts for internal and client-facing meetings
• Participate in client calls and internal working sessions
• Partner cross-functionally with analytics, creative, and account teams

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of media planning and/or buying experience (agency or in-house)
• Hands-on experience managing media budgets and vendor relationships
• Familiarity with digital media channels (paid social, search, display, video) as well as traditional experience (TV, OOH, Print)
• Strong skills with Excel (including pivots) and PowerPoint (or Google Sheets/Slides)
• Experience working with media platforms and tools such as Resonate/MRI/GWI, Meta, Google Ads, The Trade Desk, or similar
• Strong attention to detail and comfort working with numbers and financial documentation
• Clear communicator with a collaborative mindset

Laughlin Constable is an equal opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.